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REAL ESTATE BROKERS. 

SpringfiEldj Ma, 




BAKER BLOCK. 

, Take the Elevator for Room 14. 
,00/400 

apham & Brother 

Whose Dffices Occupy the Whale af the Third Flaar ai 

the ahave Building, Fronting an the Public 

Square, Have a Large List at 

^GboiGe properties For Inveshrpept.r^ 

There is no Doubt but that Double the Prices can be Realized on 
Many of Them within a Year, 

( Correspondence Solicited. 

I it- fere nee : Greene County National Rank. 

LAPHAM & BROTHER, 

REAL ESTATE, 

sprhstgpieijD. mo. 



TELEPHONE No. 1 



^$i of w £ 
1899 



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Springfield Misso 



leaping Forward "with &iaat StridEs, 

The SnathwEstEra MEtrDpnlis Aspiring tD 
Third PlacE ilmDng Missnari Cities. 

Real Estate Transfers that Hggregate 
$25Q,D00 Haily. 

Unprecedented City Growth — & Rich Harvest 
far Investors. 



Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat. 

Springfield, Mo., March 19. — Springfield — the staid, conser- 
vative, wealthy and always enterprising metropolis of the south- 
western portion of Missouri — has caught the spirit of the times 
and is now experiencing the thrill of that stage of exceptional 
growth and prosperity which is designated, for lack of a more ex- 
pressive word, the "boom" Two weeks ago this city, with its 
20,000 people, was moving along in the even tenor of its way, 
reaching out with a sure hand for these enterprises that would add 
to the growth, wealth and prestige of the city, but after a fashion 
void of the effervescence of those western towns that have of late 
made the greatest noise, whose present consist of air castles, and 
whose future is on paper. 

THE BOOM ARRIVP:S. 

But even better things were in store, and Springfield, which 
has attained its present population, wealth and commercial im- 
portance by slow stages, covering a generation, awoke a few morn- 
ings since, to find itself confronted by that young Samson of the 
West the "Boom" which, with his magic wand, makes towns of 
villages and cities of towns. 



It was two weeks ago to-day that this indefinable and, in a 
measure, unacountable, influence was first felt here: and, without 
stopping to question its authority, the "Queen of the Ozarks" 
surrendered, and an era unparalled in the history of this or any 
other city in the west was entered upon. Following immediately 
upon the heels of a recognition of the fact by the people of Spring- 
field, that they were called upon to adjust themselves to a new 
and even brighter condition of affairs came strangers — men of 
means, who had just measured and weighed inflated towns, whose 
clatter has for months attracted wide-spread attention. These 
shrewd, far-seeing men took in the situation at a glance. Here 
was a city with a population of 20,000; with a commerce that laid 
tributary 100 miles of territory on every side; with an assessed 
valuation of $6,000,000; with two trunk lines of railroad already 
in operation; with another in course of construction, and still an- 
other in contemplation; with manufactories, churches represent- 
ing every denomination, and with exceptional educational facili- 
ties; with miles of substantial business houses and thousands of 
beautiful homes; with street-car lines, water works, gas and 
electric-light works, and all the accessories of modern civiliza- 
tion, and with the certainty of taking early rank among the great 
cities of the West. 

REAL ESTATE FIGURES LOW. 

And yet in the presence of such certainty, and with such pos- 
sibilities within reach, these visiting capitalists found real estate, 
for both business and residence purposes, ridiculously low. 
Choice business property was changing owners at from $50 to $100 
per front foot. Handsome residence lots within a stone's throw 
of the business center found buyers at from $10 to $25 per foot, 
while choice acre property at the city limits was being tossed from 
owner to owner in a happy-go-lucky fashion at from $100 to $200 
per acre. 

The visitors quickly saw and took advantage of the lack of local 
appreciation as to the value of property, and went into the market 
as bulls. Springfieldians were apt pupils, and with the scales 
lifted from their eyes, all joined hands and the boom was on. It 
would be impossible in this connection to keep pace with the 
transactions since. The first week of the revival in reality showed 
transfers aggregating $1,300,000. This week's sales, as shown by 
the Auditor's books to-night aggregate about $2,500,000. 

About four days after the boom struck Springfield the deeds 
commenced pouring into the Recorder's office at a rate which ap- 
palled and yet delighted that officer. 

A NOVELTY ANYWHERE. 

From day to day, as abstracts were completed for property sold, 
his business increased and he doubled his force of assistants; still 



he fell behind with the work, but there was room for no more 
clerks in the office and he had to put on two forces, which are 
now running, one for the day and the other for the night, yet the 
deeds have not been filed for record in half the transfers made. 
It was all the chief functionary could do to receive the deeds and 
fees and enter them on his file-book, and the crowd, at times, was 
like that which gathers at the window of a country post office at 
mail time. The Recorder has been compelled to order new record 
books. His business in one day is now as great as that of two 
weeks was formerly. 

Instances of profits realized by men from the advance in prop- 
erty have been before telegraphed to the Globe-Democrat, but 
there is one deserving of especial mention. A young man having 
$1,000 cash and a powerful nerve bought"$38,000 worth of busi- 
ess lots, paying $1,000 for a thirty days' option. In three days 
he sold the property at an advance of $15,000, thus acquiring a 
small fortune. This is only one of the many instances of a simu- 
lar kind. Many times in the day a man would be offered $1,000, 
$2,000 or more advance for a bargain, just made. 

The advance in prices proceeded pretty evenly as between bus- 
iness and residence lots in different portions of the city. Some 
ten additions to the city, each containing 200 to 750 lots, have 
been platted, put upon the market and sold within the past week. 
The demand was so great that several other additions are now be- „ 
ing platted. 

A SOLID PERMANENT BOOM. 

But what is the basis of the Springfield boom? will be the most 
natural inquiry. This was the question that first suggested itself 
to your correspondent, and after diligent and painstaking investi- 
gation he is prepared to assert that it rests upon a foundation 
broad and lasting. The price of real estate, as before stated, was 
unwarrantably low, and even after two weeks' active work by the 
bulls, and an advance of full 50 per cent, Springfield property is 
from 300 to 500 per cent under that of Wichita, Kans., a city of 
about equal population, but with nothing like the present solid- 
ity and future prospects of this place. In other words, Spring- 
field real estate will stand a still further advance of 200 per cent 
before the bears will feel called upon to exercise their claws. 

But it should not be understood that the boom is confined to 
real estate transactions, for there are many things that go to as- 
sure the permanency of the era upon which this city has entered. 
Last year the value of new buildings erected was estimated, in 
round figures, at $1,000,000. Architects and builders are now in 
possession of facts upon which to base the assertion that this 
year's record will double that of last. The city is also positively 
assured of the immediate construction of the Missouri Pacific 
road from Boonville via Springfield to Little Rock, Ark. This, 
in connection with the two trunk lines, the Gulf and the Frisco, 



which now give an outlet east and west and north and south, will 
add materially to the commerce of the city and its importance as 
a railroad center. It is also believed that the Chicago and Alton 
will, at an early day, make Springfield a southern terminal point. 
The following additional information will also be of interest to 
those of an inquiring turn of mind: 

MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES. 

The extent of the manufacturing enterprises of Springfield is al- 
ready sometbing of which to be proud, but, considering the at- 
tractive and inviting field opened by the increasing railroad facil- 
ities, this branch of business must be considered yet in its infancy 
although it is healthy and robust, and gives every sign of attain- 
ing great dimensions in the early future. 

First in importance are the Frisco railway shops, which give 
constant employment to 500 men at such wages that no strikes 
are ever thought of. Additions are being made to these shops 
which will necessitate the employment of 150 more men. 

The shops of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott and Gulf Railroad were 
also recently located here, and the buildings and improvements 
cover several acres. Though they are not all completed a large- 
force of men are employed. The company has also purchased 
thirteen acres more just west of the present plant to be used in 
extending their shops. It is confidently expected that 1,500 men 
will obtain employment at no distant day. 

One of the largest woolen mills in the west is turning out fab- 
rics which are not excelled anywhere, and which find a ready sale. 

There are six flouring mills; with a capacity of 1,500 barrels 
per day, and some of them are among the largest and most 
expensely constructed in the West, and have repeatedly taken 
first premiums at the St. Louis Fair. 

Two large iron foundries are located here, one on the Gulf and 
the other on the Frisco railway. The latter manufactures the 
material for the Perkins system of water-works, which is exten- 
sively used in the Western cities, and also a large proportion of 
casting for the Frisco Railway. 

SOLD ALL OYER THE UNION. 

There are eight tobacco and four cigar factories which do an 
enormous business. One of the tobacco firms has lately erected a 
large four story brick building for their factory. The tobacco and 
cigars manufactured here are sold in nearly every state in the Union. 

Springfield has a pork packing establishment, a branch of the 
Ames house, of St. Louis, which puts up 800 hogs per day, thus 
affording home market for hogs.. 

The Springfield wagon factory is one of the most valuable in- 
stitutions of the city, and sells more wagons throughout this and 
adjoining and Southern States than any factory west of the Ohio. 



There is a brewery which cost $30,000 and which enters into 
lively competition with the St. Louis breweries in this section. 

A barbed wire factory occupies line buildings and does a big 
business. 

In addition, there are numerous other manufacturies, such as a 
lumber and cooperage company, extensive white-lime works, 
spice mills, slatted fencing, barrel and stave factory, galvanized 
iron cornice works, etc. 

WELL LIGHTED AND WATERED. 

The electric-light plant furnishes about fifty large lights for 
business houses, forty street lights which are distributed about 
the city, and numerous incandescent lamps for residences and 
business houses. The gas company, having a franchise which 
lusts four more years, the expenses of the street electric lights are 
paid by private subscriptions. 

The water-works system is the most satisfactory in the State. 
The supply is obtained from a large spring seven miles north of 
the city, and is sufficient for a city of 100,000 people. With the 
aid of an efficient fire department provided with all necessary 
equipments, it is almost impossible for a fire i,f any great extent 
to occur. 

Springfield has five miles of street-railway which extend to the 
various depots and business centers, to Maple Park Cemetery and 
the Fair Grounds. The system comprises a belt line around the 
city. There were formerly two companies, but they have consol- 
idated. The telephone system is very extensive and liberally 
patronized. 

Springfield has an active, wide-awake Board of Trade, which 
is just completing a commodious $10,000 building. There are 
100 members, composed of the best business men of the city: It 
has the best-arranged Fair Grounds, amphitheater and exposition 
buildings in the State, outside of St. Louis, and possibly St. Joe. 

The churches are well represented, ami have some costly edi- 
fices. There are in Springfield seventeen white and four colored 
churches, embracing three Presbyterian, two Catholic, three Bap- 
tist, four Methodist, two Cumberland Presbyterian, two Congre- 
gationalist, two Episcopal, one Swedish Baptist, one German 
Baptist, and one Christian church edifice. Two other church 
edifices will shortly be erected. Several of the churches are 
models of architectural beauty. 

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 

No city in the West equals Springfield for educational facilities. 
Her public, schools have long sustained a reputation that is the 
envy of other <;ities, and Drury Coljege deserves to be ranked 
with the leadi] Eastern colleges, numbering among its profess- 
ors ni( n of no' culture. It has a forty-acre campus and $200,000 



6 

worth of buildings. Besides these there is Loretto Academy, a 
business college and minor educational institutions. 

Springfield has three daily newspapers well filled with adver- 
tisements. Two are morning and one evening, and two receive 
the Associated Press dispatches. Two of them are arranging to 
erect buildings of their own, as has been previously stated. 

MUNICIPAL CONSOLIDATION. 

The citizens of the two corporations, Springfield and North 
Springfield, will vote Tuesday, the 29th inst., on the question of 
consolidating the two cities under one municipal government. 
There is no doubt that the proposition will carry in both towns 
by large majorities. The name of the new municipality will be 
Springfield, and it will be as it is now — a city of the third class. 

Under the amendments to charters of cities of that class, 
adopted by the present Legislature, the system of improvements 
is much simplified, and with the inauguration of the City Coun- 
cil following the consolidation, extensive street improvements are 
contemplated, chief of which is a sewerage system, in favor of 
which, there is a strong and growing sentiment. The curbing, 
guttering and macadamizing of streets has been pushed energeti- 
cally the past year, and will continue until the streets are all in 
harmony with the handsome residences, lawns and shade trees 
for which our city is noted. 

NEW COURT HOUSE. 

Greene county is taking steps to erect a new court house and 
jail, to cost about $100,000 and to be built with all the modern 
improvements. 

The establishment of a United States Court at this place by the 
last Congress renders necessary a public building, and at the next 
session Congress will, in all probability, make an appropriation 
for that purpose, and for the accommodation of the Government 
Land Office, Post Office and the United States Commissioner's 
Court. 

A bill has passed the Missouri Legislature locating a Court of 
Appeals in Springfield, and three Judges are soon to be appointed 
by the Governor. 

The houses throughout the city are being numbered as rapidly 
as possible, and as soon as that is finished Springfield will have a 
free delivery of mail. This will be some time during the month 
of April. 

WHOLESALE TRADE. 

On account of her natural location Springfield has always en- 
joyed a wholesale trade extending over a wide area, even before 
the advent of her first railroad in 1870. As the adjacent country 
settled up and developed the trade increased, and with the 



advent of railroad facilities it widened its scope, until now it 
reaches out 150 miles in nearly every direction. There are now 
large wholesale grocery companies and wholesale houses in every 
other branch of staples, that do an enormous business in Missouri, 
Arkansas, Indian Territory and Kansas. Every new railroad 
;md branch adds to the volume of business, as it developes the 
tributary country. The possibilities of the future in the whole- 
saling interests of Springfield are grand, and the outlook for real- 
izing all the possibilities is encouraging. 

The study of any map will partially convince any stranger, and 
a tour through this section will invariably prove the fact, that 
there is no probability of Springfield ever having a competing 
point within a radius of 200 miles. 

The healthfulness of the climate of Springfield, which is situat- 
ed at a high elevation on the Ozark, and supplied with the purest 
air and water, is well known. While the winters are just cold 
enough to stir the blood and fire it with energy, the summers 
are not hot enough to enervate and destroy the vital forces born 
of the winter. The records of thermometors in hot weather have 
shown this to be the coolest section of the State. 

FAVORABLE TOPOGRAPHY. 

Eastern people coming here and having heard of the Ozark 
Mountains expect to see a rough range of rocky and barren hills. 
The term is misleading. Instead of the mountain fastnesses the 
tourist is surprised to see a gentle undulating highland, part prai- 
rie and part timber, watered by numerous rills and dotted with 
commodious farm houses, flourshing orchards and green fields. 
The soil is fertile and lasts well, and is adapted to the growing of 
more different kinds of products, probably, than any other soil in 
the country. Vegetables of all kinds are grown successfully, 
and the apple crop never fails. Small fruits always succeed and 
yield abundantly. The grasses are grown luxurantlv, and blue 
grass covers as with a carpet many acres where it has thrived 
spontaneously. The wild and untillable land existing in some of 
the counties in the Southwest can be converted into luxurient 
pastures by simply sowing the seed, as has been repeatedly done. 
There are many wealthy farmers in the Southwest who have made 
all of their money out of the soil. 

This section catches much of the return emigration, which is 
dissatisfied with the uncertainties of the crops further out west. 
Upon the whole, no city in the West has better surroundings, a 
brighter immediate future, or offers a safer place for the invest- 
ment of capital, and hundreds have just found it out. 



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